Marvin C. Koonz

Marvin C .Koonz, Jr., 70, of St. Petersburg, FL., passed away peacefully in his home on February 3, 2018. Born in Albany, NY on June 9, 1947, he was the beloved son of Marvin C. Koonz, Sr. and Marguerite (Tate) Koonz. After attending St. Joseph's Academy in Albany, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest Marine in the nation at the time. He proudly served his country in Vietnam, where, due to his size, stature, and bravery, he distinguished himself as a "tunnel rat", clearing underground tunnel systems and bunkers of enemy combatants with nothing more than a .45 cal. pistol and a handheld flashlight. He participated in 8 separate combat missions during 13 months in country, and was awarded a Purple Heart and numerous campaign medals. He separated from service in 1968 at the rank of Sergeant, but for the rest of his life he was ALWAYS a Marine! After Vietnam, he became a member of the Bethlehem Police Department, where he served as a plain clothes undercover officer, a patrolman, and a Detective in the Youth Bureau. He was also the Union President, who fought long and hard to advance the rights and benefits of his fellow officers, before his retirement from the force in 1989. He was a proud and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AmVets, Marine Corps League, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Elks. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Brian (Linda) Koonz of Newtown, CT, Kenneth (Ronda) Koonz of Slingerlands, Dawn (Todd) Danz of Altamont, and Jacqueline (Kris) Lowery of Queenstown, MD, and his grandchildren, Tanner, Taylor, Cassidy, Lucian, Kristopher, and Scott. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, his sisters Charlene and Janet, and his brother Gary, a fellow Marine who was his best friend and constant companion in his final days. The family would like to thank the staff of Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health for their professional and compassionate care. Relatives and friends may call in the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, on Friday, March 2nd from 4 - 7 p.m. A private family service will be held the following day at the Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont for interment. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Suncoast Hospice Foundation in memory of Marvin C. Koonz, Jr.